Mary Louise Bates

Mary Louise Bates, 91, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2009 at a Topeka hospital. She was born on April 17, 1918 in Indianapolis, IN, the daughter of A.A. and Edith F. Kester Hamilton. Sadly, Edith passed away when Mary was six. Subsequently, she gained a step-mother, Faye Kathleen who was much beloved by Mary. She grew up in Indianapolis where she was an accomplished Girl Scout, student and musician. In 1942, she moved to San Francisco where she married V.M. "Mike" Striebel. They were later divorced and in 1956, she married Herchel L. Bates in San Diego. While residing in California, Mary worked as a clerk for the U.S. Navy, then as a secretary and bookkeeper for a real estate construction company. In 1961, Mary and her husband moved to Abilene, TX where she worked in the Registrar's Office of McMurry College. Fourteen years later, they retired to Nashville, IN where they built a home on land given to them by Hazel Mills Hamilton, her step-mother. Mary was variously employed by a Christmas shop, an art gallery, and by the Golf Club of Brown County. Mary also served as the City Clerk of Nashville. Mary's husband, Herchel preceded her in death in 1981. In 1993, Mary moved to Topeka, KS, where she continued working in small part-time positions and served for a number of years as a volunteer at the State Library. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Striebel Brown (Jeremy Miller) and Jan Striebel Mallernee, grandchildren; Kirk Hamilton Brown, Chad Redmond Brown, Rachel Christine Woodward, David Baruch Mallernee. Mary also cherished her step-grandchildren, James Ford Miller and Emily Ruth Miller and five great-grandchildren; Kansas, Aaliyah, Alicia, Rowan and Lukas. Many members of the Bates family were very important to her. In recent years, she particularly valued her "God-Daughter", Shannon as well as several close friends in Topeka. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Immediately following the service, family and friends will remain in the chapel until 6:00 p.m. to enjoy fellowship. Private inurnment will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Red Carpet Program of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604, the Cat Association of Topeka, 1719 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66604, the music department of First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612 or the Topeka Festival Singers, PO Box 4185, Topeka, KS 66604. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.